Concealed building panel fastener



Sept. 30, 1969 F, R, ASHBY ET AL 3,469,866

CONCEALED BUILDING PANEL FASTENER Filed July 22. 1968 m., mvENToRs u .5J-.swg a, FREDERICK R.ASHBY Q DONALD lFA waas' United States Patent O 3,469,866 CONCEALED BUILDING PANEL FASTENER Frederick R. Ashby and Donald F. Luebs, Carmel, N.Y., assignors to U.S. Plywood-Champion Papers Inc., a corporation of New York Filed July 22, 1968, Ser. No. 746,328 Int. Cl. F1611 7/00, 9/00, 5/ 00 U.S. Cl. 287-20324 9 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE An improved wall panel fastener adapted to be used in pairs wherein a first fastener is attached both to the supporting wall and to a first panel and a second similar fastener is adapted to be attached to a second panel and to be interlocked with said first fastener.

An improved wall panel fastener `adapted to be used in pairs wherein a rst fastener is attached both to the supporting wall and to a first panel and a second similar fastener is adapted to be attached to a second panel and to be interlocked with said first fastener.

The present invention is concerned with a novel concealed fastener or clip for aflixing panels, such as plywood panels, to a wall structure either rdirectly or to supporting studs. The fastener of the present invention has a unique geometric configuration and comprises a base plate which may be aixed to a supporting stud member and an integral vertical plate with respect to said base plate. The base plate of a first fastener is affixed to the supporting substructure such as a vertical stud and the vertical plate of the first fastener is affixed to the edge of a first panel. The vertical plate of a second similar fastener is affixed to the edge of a second panel and the base plate of the second fastener is positioned and interlocked below the vertical plate of the first fastener.

The concealed fastener and its adaptation and use may be readily understood by reference to the drawings illustrating one embodiment of the same.

FIGURE l is a top view of one type of panel which is adapted to be affixed to a wall structure utilizing the clip or fastener of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A showing in some detail the structure of the panel.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the clip or fastener.

FIGURE 4 is an end view of the clip; FIGURE 5 is a side View; while FIGURE 6 illustrates the method of mounting, illustrating a first panel, a first clip, a second panel and a second simil-ar clip.

Referring specifically to FIGURE l, panel 10 has raised sides 1 and 2 and a raised top and bottom 3 and 4. This is further illustrated in FIGURE 2. In accordance with one adaptation of the invention and when using panels of this type the clips are aflixed to the panels by means of screws or similar elements through holes and 6.

Referring specifically to perspective FIGURE 3, clip or fastener 20 comprises a base plate 21 having suitable holes 26 therein so as to attach a first fastener to a support stud or equivalent member. As hereinafter described these holes are not used with respect to a second fastener, since the second fastener is interlocked beneath a first fastener. Base plate 21 has an elevated base plate section 24 which, with respect to a second fastener, is adapted to be positioned below and interlock with a first fastener, as hereinafter described.

A vertical plate 22 integral with base plate 21 extends vertically from base plate 21 along one side thereof. Vertical plate 22 has holes 25 for aflixing the fastener to ACC the side of each panel to be supported. One end of vertical plate 22 is flush with one side of base plate 21 but overextends the base plate on the other side. The lower edge of vertical plate 22 which overextends base plate 21 does not extend to the plane of the base plate 21 leaving a predetermined gap between the lower edge of vertical plate 22 and the plane of base plate 21. This permits the raised base plate section 24 of a second clip to be positioned below vertical plate 22 and secured thereunder.

A locking plate 23 extends outwardly from the lower overextending edge of vertical plate 22 preferably at an angle greater than about between said vertical plate and said locking plate. This locking plate also integral with the base plate and the vertical plate is on the opposite side of the vertical plate as compared with the base plate and lies in a plane above the plane of the base plate.

The structure of the fastener is clearly illustrated in FIGURE 4 showing an end view wherein measurements are given for one satisfactory type of clip. It is to be understood that these measurements may be Varied appreciably to conform to the requirements of the panels to be affixed. FIGURE 4 illustrates vertical plate 22 extending upwardly from base plate 21 which plate has an elevated punched plate section 24. Locking plate 23 extends outwardly from vertical plate 22. It is to be noted that the angle between vertical plate 22 and locking plate 23 is in excess of 90. A preferred angle is in the range Ifrom about 92 to 100 such as about 95. FIG- URE 5 is a side view of the clip showing base plate 21, base plate section 24 and vertical plate 22. It is to be noted the lower side of overextending vertical plate 22 does not extend to the plane of base plate 21.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 6, a first panel 30 is shown having a first fastener 31 attached thereto by means of fasteners or screw or similar elements 32 and 33. The first fastener has a base plate 34 and an elevated base plate section 3S. B-ase plate 34 is attached to a supporting stud or similar element by means of screws 36 and 37. These screws extend through holes 26 illustrated in FIGURE 3 while screws 32 and 33 extend through holes 25 illustrated in FIGURE 3. Base plate 34 has a Vertical plate 38 extending from one side thereof. Vertical plate 38 has a locking plate 39 extending outwardly from vertical plate 38 and seating back of the supported first panel 30.

A second panel 40 has attached thereto a second similar fastener 50 by imeans of screws or similar holding elements 41 and 42. These screws extend through holes of the vertical plate 43 of the second fastener. The locking plate 44 extends outwardly from the vertical plate 43 of said second fastener and seats behind the second panel 40. Base plate 45 of the second fastener contains holes 46 which are not used since the base plate section 47 of the second fastener seats below and locks on locking plate 39 of the first fastener.

Thus the present invention is concerned with a fastener which is utilized with a second similar fastener in a manner to interlock both and to support wall elements of all types, in such a manner that the fasteners are concealed.

While the method and teaching described `will conceal the fasteners, at times it may be desirable to have the side of one panel abut tightly against the side of a second panel. Under these conditions the sides of the respective panels may be recessed to a depth equivalent to the thickness of the vertical plate so as to countersink the fittings and thereby secure complete fiushness of the sides of the installed panels.

While all types of panels, interior and exterior, may

be secured to the inside or outside of a building or other structure, the invention is particularly adopted for asbestos-cement panels (such as Facad, Glasweld, etc., trademarks of U.S. Plywood-Champion Papers Inc.) high and low pressure plastic laminates (such as Micarta, trademark of Westinghouse Electric Company), plywood, hardboard, particle board, etc. Obviously, if the panel does not have integrally formed enlarged edges, separate mounting stripes similar to edges 1 to 4 could be applied thereto. The dimensions given are illustrative only and may be varied within wide limits and still be within the inventive concept. However, for best spring tight connections between the panels and the supporting structure offset lip or locking plate 24 should be of substantial length and width.

Summary In actual application, the panel edges of decorative asbestos-cement, plywood, etc. are first bored to receive the clips. The holes are so located that they are in the same relative position on meeting edges of adjacent panels rather than being offset or |misaligned in any way. This assists in locating the holes and avoids confusion. `Clips are then bolted to the panel edge. Since all clips are identical, they position themselves without concern for right and left-handed versions.

Panels are installed, by means of the clips with anchor bolts or screws, either directly to the structure or to wood or metal furring strips. Panels are mounted in sequence either up or down, or to the left or right. After the first panel is mounted, adjacent panels are mounted by sliding clips along the meeting edges to their counterparts on the previously secured panel, then affixing to the buliding only those clips along the other or free edges which remain accessible.

The above procedure allows for any shrink-swell of the panel or shifting within the building itself. However, the joint gap is not critical and may range between 1A and /8" to provide tolerance and adjustment to meet varying conditions. This joint gap is frequently filled with caulking, gasketing, or decorative inserts. If it is considered necessary to afiix all four edges of the panel, this is possible by providing a lminimum `1/2" joint through which two screws may be inserted into the two holes located for that purpose in the foot of the clip.

One of the primary features of the clip lies in that it provides concealed attachment vwith liberal tolerance for adjustment; that it is not handed and permits the holes in opposing sides of panels to be located in the same relative position; that it accommodates slight movements of either the panels or the structure, but provides for rigid attachment of all four sides where required. One of the critical details is the mechanical wedging action of the engagement of the clips. The raised ramp portion 24 of the clip in combination with the 95 angled tab 23 with which it mates on an opposing clip provides a smooth but firm engagement.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.

We claim:

1. A fastener which comprises: (l) a base plate having holes therein and adapted to be affixed to a supporting wall structure; (2) a vertical plate integral with said base plate and extending vertically from one side of said base plate, said vertical plate characterized by having a portion thereof overextending said base plate, and further characterized by having holes therein whereby the same may be affixed to a panel to be attached to said supporting wall structure, and further characterized that the lower edge of said overextending portion does not extend to the plane of said base plate, thus providing a gap thereinbetween; (3) a locking plate extending substantially horizontally outwardly from the lower edge of said overextending portion on the side opposite said base plate, and; (4) a resilient base plate section extending upwardly from said base plate to a height substantially equivalent to said gap whereby to provide a constant pressure against an adjacent fastener.

2. Fastener as defined by claim 1 wherein the angle between said locking plate and said vertical plate is in the range from about to 100 whereby to be able to provide frictional pressure against an adjacent fastener.

3. Fastener as defined by claim 2 wherein the angle between said locking plate and said vertical plate is approximately 90 and the angle between the lower edge of said vertical plate and the rearwardly and downwardly extending locking plate is in the range of therebetween.

4. Fastener as defined by claim 3 wherein the base plate sections in the base plates of each of said fasteners covers approximately 1A of the width thereof and approximately 75% of the length thereof.

5. Fastener as set forth in claim 1, and wherein the angle between said base plate and said vertical plate is approximately at right angle, and the angle between the 4vertical plate and rearwardly extending locking plate is greater than 90 whereby to tightly form a friction fit with an adjacent cooperating fastener.

6. A wall assembly which comprises in combination a first panel, a second panel, a first fastener and a second fastener, said first fastener being characterized by having; (l) a first base plate having holes therein, said first base plate being affixed to a supporting wall structure; (2) a first vertical plate integral with said first base plate and extending vertically from one side of said first base plate, said first vertical plate characterized by having a portion thereof overextending said first base plate, and further characterized by having holes therein, said first fastener being affixed to the side of said first panel, said portion further characterized that the lower edge of said portion does not extend to the plane of said first base plate, thus providing a gap thereinbetween; (3) a first locking plate extending substantially horizontally outwardly from the lower edge of said overextending portion on the side opposite said first base plate and; (4) a first resilient base plate section extending upwardly from said first base plate to a height substantially equivalent to said gap; a similar second fastener being attached to the side of said second panel by means of holes in the second vertical plate of said second fastener, said second panel being securely attached to said wall structure by the second base plate of said second fastener extending under the first locking plate of said first fastener whereby to provide a snug friction tight fit between each panel in the wall assembly.

7. The combination as dened by claim 6 wherein the angle between said base plate and said vertical plate is generally 90 and the angle between the lower edge of said first vertical plate and the rearwardly and downwardly extending locking plate is in the range of 95 therebetween.

8. The combination as defined by claim 7 wherein the base plate sections in the base plates of each of said fasteners covers approximately 1/3 of the width thereof and approximately 75% of the length thereof.

9. The combination as defined by claim 8 wherein said panels have enlarged prebored edges and are formed of cement-asbestos.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,062,456 5/1913 Greenleaf et al. 287-20920 3,113,358 12/1963 Zell et al. 287-20924 3,308,590 3/1967 Ettore et al. 52-281 EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

